Information content and informativeness of analysts’ report: evidence from Malaysia

Mohd Thas Thaker, Hassanudin and Mohamad, Azhar and Mustaffa Kamil, Nazrol Kamil and Duasa, Jarita (2019) Information content and informativeness of analysts’ report: evidence from Malaysia. Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting, 16 (4). pp. 742-763. ISSN 1985-2517

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Abstract

Purpose This study aims to document the influence of information content and the informativeness of analyst reports towards cumulative abnormal return (CAR) in the Malaysian market. Design/methodology/approach Samples of analyst reports for the period 2010, January 4th until 2015, December 24th were collected from the Bursa Malaysia’s repository system for daily basis information. The study employs market adjusted method for the calculation of CAR and panel regression to test the research objective. In addition, diagnostic tests which include the Variance Inflation Factor (VIF), correlation analysis, heteroscedasticity tests, serial auto-correlation and the Hausman test were also performed to ensure the validity and reliability of the data. Findings Result from the unbalanced panel data reveals that not all of the information contained in the analyst reports are able to detect stock returns movement. Only five variables are shown to have strong association with the returns, and these are; target price, earnings forecast, return on equity, cash flows to price, and sales to price ratio. The R-Square value has also been shown to be relatively low (0.79%), indicating the low predictive power of information content and the informativeness of the analyst report in explaining stock returns. In order to support the findings based on the knowledge obtained, a descriptive analysis on whether the analyst reports were able to predict the recommendation accurately or not was performed. Result from the descriptive analysis shows that only 57 percent of the recommendations are accurate, evidenced by the differing target price and ending price. This outcome appears to contradict the theory of signalling hypothesis. Hence, it can be concluded that analyst reports have less informational role among investors Originality/value This paper has thus provided insight into how information disclosed in the analyst report influence the return of stocks, further extending the limited research on analyst report in the context of Malaysian market. The paper has also added to the existing literature by providing several implications to practitioners and researchers alike.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	33334/67776
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Malaysia, Informativeness, Information content, Analysts’ report, Panel regression
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HG Finance > HG4501 Stocks, investment, speculation
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Economics and Management Sciences Kulliyyah of Economics and Management Sciences > Department of Finance
Depositing User:	Dr Azhar Mohamad
Date Deposited:	22 Nov 2018 12:14
Last Modified:	24 Jun 2019 11:49
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/67776

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